took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on to hold 2nd
held up last, stayed on to take poor 4th approaching 2 out, soon edged right and flashed tail under pressure
took keen hold, chased leader to before 5th and mistake, soon ridden and lost place, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, chased leader before 5th until weakened quickly before 2 out
not jumpeed well in rear, tailed off 3 out, blundered last
held up in touch going well, headway to chase leading pair after 3 out, led 2 out, in command well before last, clear when eased run-in
mistakes, led, mistake 5th, hit 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, kept on again run-in
Leading Triumph Hurdle candidates Etendard Indien and Penzance take in a dress rehearsal with preference for the latter, while the likes of Gift Voucher and Zalda should ensure that they do not have things entirely their own way. This is set to be a cracking confrontation between the front two in the market, with Penzance taken to remain unbeaten en-route to Cheltenham. The former Flat racer, a half-brother to Soviet Song no less, handed out an eight-length beating to the odds-on Amarula Ridge on his Taunton debut, and was hardly out of second gear when following up at Huntingdon last time. The trainer had by then already availed himself of the 40-1 on offer for the Triumph, and with more improvement to come, he must be quietly confident. If King is to collect, then he will have to see off a couple of decidedly useful rivals at least, including Akilak and of course Etendard Indien, whom he bumps into today. Although Nicky Henderson has not had the best of seasons so far, he will be optimistic of a good showing from his four-year-old. A Group 3 winner on the Flat in France last September, he could hardly have been more impressive when sluicing up by 12 lengths on his debut over hurdles here at Kempton 12 days ago, and he can give the selection a stern test. Gift Voucher made winning start over hurdles at Warwick in January and is rated good enough to go to Cheltenham, connections may instead opt for Aintree before he returns to the Flat. Zalda is out to redeem his reputation after being trounced by Akilak at Cheltenham and may prove best of the Hobbs pair today at least, but for us anyway, all roads lead to Penzance.
Amarula Ridge (IRE) 8-1 Held up last, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, well behind My Way de Solzen at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (A) gs.
Dubai Ace (USA) 9-2 Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, ran on from 2 out, switched left last, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 2l behind Mr Dinglawi at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Dunlea Dancer 4-1 Chased leader, led after 2nd, ridden and jumped left 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Rood Boy at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Gift Voucher (IRE) 3-1 Prominent and keen, led 4th, ridden when not fluent last, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) sft in Jan beating Coach Lane by 1l, 10 ran.
Innocent Rebel (USA) 3-1jt-fav Took keen hold, effort to chase leaders before 2 out, one pace and no impression before last, 4th of 8, 8l behind Redi at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gd.
Maclean 8-1 Held up in touch, headway to dispute 2nd when mistake 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 19l behind Iron Man at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs.
Penzance 4-9fav Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, quickened clear approaching last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jan beating La Professoressa by 7l, 12 ran.
Zalda 9-1 Chased leader, hit 5th and lost place, soon well behind, 15th of 16, well behind Akilak at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Etendard Indien (FR) 10-11fav Made all, clear after 4th, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs beating Reservoir by 12l, 10 ran.
